Calculate My Paycheck -
Free 2026 Paycheck Calculator
for Hourly & Salary
Calculate your paycheck instantly. Enter your salary, state, and filing status to see estimated take-home pay after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax. Free, all 50 states, updated for 2026.
Paycheck Calculator
Get your instant breakdown
$2,200 credit each (2026)
$500 credit each
2026 federal & state tax rates · Standard deduction applied
How to Calculate Your Paycheck
Your employer uses this 6-step calculation. See where every dollar of your gross pay goes before it hits your bank account.
Start with Gross Pay
Annual salary divided by pay periods - 26 for biweekly, 24 for semi-monthly, 52 for weekly.
Subtract Federal Tax
Based on your W-4 filing status and 2026 IRS Publication 15-T withholding tables (10%-37% marginal brackets).
Subtract Social Security
6.2% of gross wages. Stops automatically once you hit the $184,500 Social Security wage base for the year.
Subtract Medicare
1.45% of all gross wages with no annual cap. Plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax for high earners.
Subtract State Tax
Ranges from 0% in Texas and Florida to 13.3% in California. Each state uses its own withholding rules.
Your Net Pay
Your take-home pay - the amount actually deposited to your bank account after all deductions.
PaycheckSense runs this 6-step calculation for all 50 states using official 2026 IRS Publication 15-T rates.
Why Is Your Paycheck Less Than Your Salary?
Most people are surprised by how much smaller their paycheck is compared to their salary. A $75,000 salary does not put $75,000 in your bank account - it puts roughly $58,000 to $62,000 depending on your state. The gap is your combined tax burden: federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and state income tax all come out before you see a dollar.
The amount depends on four things: your gross salary, your W-4 filing status, your state of residence, and any pre-tax deductions like a 401(k) or health insurance. Changing any one of them shifts your take-home pay. The calculator above accounts for all of them - enter your salary to see your estimated number.
Built for Clarity, Not Confusion
Instant Results
Calculate your take-home pay in seconds - no signup, no waiting.
All 50 States
Accurate federal and state tax calculations for every state plus Washington D.C.
2025 & 2026 Rates
Switch between tax years instantly. Updated with the latest IRS and state tax changes.
Accurate FICA Math
Precise Social Security, Medicare, and Additional Medicare Tax calculations included.
Expert Tax Guides
In-depth guides on W-4s, deductions, and maximizing your paycheck - written for real people.
Zero Data Storage
All calculations happen in your browser. We never store, sell, or see your salary.
Your Paycheck in Any State
Every state's income tax rates for 2026. See how much they take from your paycheck. No-tax states highlighted.
Top marginal state income tax rates for 2026 shown. Click any state to calculate your exact take-home pay.
Understand Your Paycheck
Expert-written guides to help you understand withholding, deductions, and what each line on your pay stub means.
How to Fill Out Your W-4 in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
New 2026 W-4 changes: OBBBA overtime & tips deduction lines, $2,200 child tax credit, new exemption checkbox. Step-by-step with paycheck impact examples.
Exemption From Withholding (2026): Who Can Claim "Exempt" on a W-4?
What 'exemption from withholding' means, who actually qualifies to claim exempt on a 2026 W-4, how to do it, the risks, and when the exemption expires. Plain-English guide.
Standard vs. Itemized Deductions 2026: Which Saves You More?
With the 2026 standard deduction at $16,100 for singles, itemizing is rare. Here's the exact decision framework with real tax savings examples.
Married Filing Jointly vs Separately (2026): Which Saves You More?
Married filing jointly vs separately in 2026: standard deductions, tax brackets, and the 7 situations where filing separately actually saves money. With examples.
Pre-Tax vs Post-Tax Deductions: What's the Difference? (2026)
Pre-tax vs post-tax deductions explained with real dollar examples. See how pre-tax 401(k), HSA, and health insurance lower your taxes vs post-tax (Roth) - with a paycheck calculator.
Roth vs Traditional 401(k) in 2026: Which Is Better for You?
New $24,500 limit. No RMDs on Roth. Mandatory Roth catch-up for $150k+ earners. Full bracket-by-bracket decision guide with real paycheck examples.
Paycheck Calculator - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my paycheck?
Start with your gross pay for the period - annual salary divided by 26 for biweekly or 24 for semi-monthly. Subtract federal income tax based on your W-4 and 2026 IRS tables, Social Security at 6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages, Medicare at 1.45% on all wages, and your state income tax. The remainder is your net pay, the amount deposited into your bank account. Enter your salary above for an instant breakdown.
How much of my paycheck goes to taxes?
For most Americans earning $40,000 to $120,000, total tax deductions are 20-30% of gross pay. This includes federal income tax at an effective rate of 12-22%, Social Security at 6.2%, Medicare at 1.45%, and state income tax ranging from 0% in Texas and Florida to 9%+ in California and New York. Your percentage depends on your salary, state, and filing status - use the calculator above to see your specific rate.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your full salary or wages before any deductions. Net pay, also called take-home pay, is what remains after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax, and any voluntary deductions like 401(k) or health insurance are subtracted. For a $75,000 salary in Texas, gross biweekly pay is $2,884 and net pay is approximately $2,248. Enter your own salary above for your estimated numbers.